NINIAN R. TAYLOR, merchant, Williamsville, was born February 13, 1825, in Wayne county, Illinois, and is the son of James and Mary (Kelley) Taylor, the former born in South Carolina and the latter in Kentucky. To them were born twelve children, of whom five are living: Ninian R., Isaac J., Simeon M., Francis K., and Martin V. Mr. Taylor was married to Catharine Halbert, April 1, 1847. She is the daughter of Doctor James and Nancy (Reynolds) Halbert, born in the State of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor had born to them eleven children, of whom John B., Lewis C., Ellen, Emma and Frank H. are living. Lewis C., graduated at Bellevue Medical College, New York, March 1, 1875; practiced in Springfield a short time, then located in Auburn five years ago; has an extensive practice. Mr. Taylor's education was obtained in the schools of Sangamon county. At the age of twenty-one he began to work for himself, by cultivating and improving a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land on section eleven, on which he located after his marriage and followed farming, raising grain and stock till 1866, and then moved to Williamsville. To the farm above mentioned, he has added one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land, and both farms are well improved and under cultivation. He commenced in the mercantile business in Williamsville shortly after he moved there, and in 1871, formed a partnership with his son, John B. Taylor, under the firm of Taylor & Son. They keep a general stock of hardware, cutlery and provisions, and have a good trade. Mr. Taylor was elected in 1870 to represent Sangamon county in the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, of Illinois, for two years. In Williams township he has served as police magistrate for two terms, trustee of the township three years, and was re-elected in 1881. Mr. Taylor is a Master Mason, and a member of Lavely Lodge, No. 203, Williamsville. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Christian Church, with which religious body they united at seventeen and fifteen years, respectively. Mr. Taylor is an elder, and his first connection with the church was on Wolf creek. Mr. Taylor is enterprising and energetic, and by his integrity has been successful in his business, and won the respect of all who know him.